poetry journals

🥾Exploring Big Trees: Poetry from the Trail

| Danna Smith

My husband and I recently hiked around Arnold, CA, and Big Trees State Park. Instead of keeping a standard journal, I like to document my travels through poetry—much like the Japanese poet Matsuo Basho (1644–1694) did on his own journeys.

In his book, Narrow Road to the Interior, Basho combined travel notes, sketches, and poems. On one stop, a fellow poet gifted him straw sandals with iris-blue straps. Rather than writing a plain note about it (my friend gave me a pair of sandals), Basho captured the moment with this verse:

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Travel Journaling: Haiku on the Northern California Coast

| Danna Smith

My husband recently retired so we decided to take off for a month and be beach bums on the northern California coast. Rather than keep a written journal to document my trips, I like to poetically record what I see in my travels, much like Japanese poet Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) did while he traveled.

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Poetry Pop Shop: Unlock Your Poetry Potential with This Guided Journal

| Danna Smith

Periodically, I write a Poetry Pop Shop post on my blog to share interesting gadgets and books for readers and writers. Today, I want to introduce you to a poetry book with guided prompts that I think you will love.

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Haiku Travel Journal: Portola California

| Danna Smith

The little railroad town of Portola, CA, lies in the heart of the Sierra Mountains. My husband and I recently rented a cabin there for a week of hiking and relaxing. Rather than keep a written journal, I like to record what I see in my travels poetically, much like Japanese poet Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) did while he traveled.

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Official Poetry Pop Journals Now Available!

| Danna Smith

I am pleased to announce that we now have an official Poetry Pop Journal! Available in paperback and hardcover and two colors and finishes, it’s the perfect way to add a pop of poetry to your day! Record notes from the blog and keep your poetry tucked safely inside.

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Travel Haiku: Lake Davis, CA

| Danna Smith

Haiku is about paying attention to a moment in nature and capturing that moment, like a snapshot, on paper with words (before it disappears). 

My husband and I recently took the jeep up to Lake Davis near Portola, CA in northern California to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Rather than keep a written journal or take a ton of pictures, I like to poetically record what I see in my travels. I’m sharing some of my travel haiku here today. Some attempts are better than others but hopefully, you can “see” what I saw through the imagery in these poems.

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Travel Haiku: Cambria California

| Danna Smith

My husband and I recently drove to Cambria on the northern California coast to celebrate my birthday. Rather than keep a written journal, I like to poetically record what I see in my travels. I’m sharing some of my travel haiku here today. Some attempts are better than others, but hopefully, you can “see” what I saw through the imagery in these poems.

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Travel Haiku: Taking Haiku on the Road

| Danna Smith

Early this month, we talked about how to start a Haiku Journal. As mentioned, famous Japanese poet, Matsuo Basho, recorded his travels by way of haiku in his diary. I recently took a drive to the northern California coast for some R & R and thought I’d follow Basho’s lead by poetically recording what I saw each day. Here are a few of my travel haiku, hopefully you can “see” what I saw through the imagery in these poems:

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